Salt Water Aquarium on a Budget!

[sgtbarone]

dude your awesome. it's good to hear that the bubbler is like a half ass protein skimmer. Ima use that idea since i'm really poor

[TheOneAndOnlyProdigy]

I've been there, starting the fish tank out from the start. U got a long way. It'll def look diff....more caves, tunnels, and fish selection.

[TheOneAndOnlyProdigy]

Dude ur the ultimate cheapo! No offense man just had to throw it out there. "Uhhmmmm got a starfish, garage sale, a quarter.....add some scenery", ridiculous!

[berettagt88]

I did a 75 and it cost 300 for sand and live rock and I have a empeor 400 with filter fiber and 29.79 lbs of live rock and 40 lbs of live sand and 30lbs of argonite sand and 1 banded cat shark egg,4 green chromis,Carpenter's Fairy Wrasse,2 fire fish and a Engineer goby I'll put up a vid soon and a 90 gal power head until I can afford more and a 12 gal nano cube with 2 occelaris clowns and a Royal gramma.I like your tanks.

[oH1TM4No]

Very well done.

[irishman2k4]

what kind of water are you using? Im having a bad brown algae problem that im in the process of rectifying but i notice yours is crystal clear...

[dragonmissy]

i want to start one in my 46 i need it to be cheap too or rather have it lol that way

[Dannyboii623]

beautiful tank :) im going to start mine soon

[daribbil]

You'll need at least 5-6 inches from wall to tank. So good luck!! Any more questions let me know. Sorry about how this is broken up as I can only use 500 spaces per message, So I broke it up in order.

[daribbil]

I am NOT A PRO! But I can do research and trial and error and just tell people what worked for me and what didn't. The one thing I found that you really need with this type of setup is a PROTEIN SKIMMER!!!!!!! I set my tank up to close to that wall so now I'm in a bind with trying to find one that fits outside of the tank but can fit within 3" space! So think about that kind of stuff before you set up a tank.

[daribbil]

Then just add the crushed coral in both tanks for $20 for 20lbs. X 2. I like crushed coral gets loaded with tons of little critters throughout! As it wears down I might add live sand on top so I can get some sand sifting fish.

[TheBlove87]

ok i have just set up my first saltwater tank and it is now cycling. i'm wanting to get a trigger and used crushed coral as my substrate also. of course afterward only did i read up on it and see that many people don't prefer it! i have been looking for people that have used it and would really like to know how it has worked out for you?? thank you much for your feedback.

[daribbil]

My lights 2 lights of america 65 watt cfc = 500 watt true output (love them but need to get gels for them to help control algea)for $40.00 home depot(go on youtube to find out how to re wire, its easy! 10 mins each. Need 3 more to finish whole set up. also have 48" jbj got at petco for $40.00 With out light bulbs. use on the 125 with atnic lights to help balance the spectrum. Also have jbj 38" came with lghts for $40.00 not setup yet.

[daribbil]

Live rock I went to petland and got most of the large rocks for $60. The barnicle I got at hobby lobby for $2.00. All of my sea shells a bag of 50 cost $3.00, in a pet shoppe they can be $2.00 for 1. They had sea fans there but not sure if aquarium safe. Got 2 300 watt heaters w/ adjustable temp for $ 19.99 free s&H. Giant starfish and coral(faux) I got at a garage sale.

[daribbil]

I also have 2 via aqua 750 one has all 4 locking clips on the 125 and 1 has 2(used tiedown strap and its worked great ever since)this one on the 75 gallon.

Got the 2 via aquas on ebay in used condition for $50, clips didn't break until after I had it for awhile. the jebao I got for $39.99 + s&h ebay.

[daribbil]

It IS a 125 gallon (main show section) tank with a 75 gallon (will be used for fish that eat anenomes,samll fish, and coral ) tank off to the right side. Equals 200 gallons. Both tanks share the same cabinet so that in the end they will be blended to look like one tank(custom wood work)when finished. I use (on 125) Jabao 304 canister filter decent water flow real easy to use and clean.

[justinwwwalin]

thats 200? hmm maybe its just the video that makes it look smaller.

how much did it cost? what kind of filtration?